Which ray is the best swimmer?

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Which ray is the best swimmer?

Discover which ray flies through the water, just like a bird.

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EXPLORE TOPIC

Ray Movement

LOCATIONS IN VIDEO

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Rays and skates (Te Ara)

Learn about the types of rays you can find in New Zealand

New Zealand Eagle Ray (Nature Watch)

See all the eagle ray spotted in New Zealand by other nature enthusiasts.

Activities

Experiment: Make a swim bladder

You will need:

1 heavy object (e.g. a metal spoon or block of wood)
1 balloon
1 kitchen bag clip (to close and open the balloon)
1 rubber band (or some other way to attach the balloon to the heavy object)
A bucket full of water

Blow up a balloon and attach it to the heavy object. Does it sink or swim?

What happens when you remove air from the balloon? What happens when you add air?

Challenge: Can you attach the balloon to the object and add juuuust the right amount of air so that it floats in the middle of the water (beneath the surface without touching the bottom)?

This is how fish use their swim bladders to move up and down in the water.

The swim bladder is an internal organ that helps some fish float in the same place despite changes in the water around them. This air-filled sac also allows them to go up or down without having to waste energy swimming.

Predator

An animal (E.g. a shark, dolphin, or human) that naturally hunts and eats other animals.

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